Charles j



(No Model.)

0. J. BBSSESEN.

TRACE FASTENER.

No. 390,746. Patented Oct. 9, 188 8.

NITED STATES 'ATENT Prion.

CHARLES J. BESSESEN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR- OF ONE-HALF TO CELIA MANDEVILLE, OF SAME PLACE.

TRACE-rFAsTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 390,746, dated October 9, 1888.

Application filed March 10, 1888. Serial No. 267,672. (No model) T0 00% whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES J. BEssEsEN, of Chicago, Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trace-Fasteners, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a trace-fastener which will bestrong, cheap to construct, and effective in use; and my invention consists in devices and combination of devices to accomplish these results, as hereinafter claimed.

In the accompanying drawiugs,which illustrate my invention, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device complete, and showing two positions of the head which secures the trace in place. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the ferrule and spring, showing the manner of constructing this portion of the device, the head and shaft being shown entire. Fig. 3 is a detail view showing the trace in section.

In the drawings, A represents the single tree; 13, the body of the ferrule, which receives the end of the singletree; B, the extended end of the ferrule, and b the neck formed on the said extended end to receive the trace. A chamber is formed in the extended portion of the ferrule at D, of such length as to receive a coiled spring and a nut at the end of said spring, and a longitudinal slot, d, is formed cent-rally through the neck portion, communicating with said chamber. The extreme outer end of the ferrule is recessed and furnishes square locking-shoulders or steps, d d. The locking-head or button E is of convenient shape to be grasped by the thumb and finger in operation, and is adapted to enter the recess in the end of the ferrule and fit the same snugly. The shoulders e e of the head E engage the shoulders d d and prevent the head from turning in the recess. The shoulders e of the head E project beyond the recess on either side far enough to provide a suitable stop to prevent the trace H slipping off. This head has rigidly secured thereto the shaft F, which projects through the longitudinal slot d into and through the chamber D, and is provided with a nut, f, against which is seated one end of the coiled spring G, the opposite end of said the chamber D, all as clearly shown in Fig. 2. The head, as shown in full lines of the drawings, is in position to lock the trace upon the neck b.

When it is desired to release the trace from its fastening, the head E is pulled outwardly, compressing the spring G, so that the shoulders e e of the head clear the shoulders d d of the recess, and then the head is turned until it assumes the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. In this position the trace is readily detached, its slot passing easily over the head or button, the broad side of which lies in the same plane as the opening in the trace. When the trace is replaced, it is not 6 necessary to pull the head outward, but it is simply turned far enough to clear the shoulders cl d, when the spring will retract it into the recess and hold it securelylocked therein.

The ferrule and neck to receive the trace are made integrally, and the strain therefore comes upon the end of the singletree and not upon any of the movable parts of the fastening, as is the case with some of the common forms of trace-fasteners. This provides a very 7 5 strong and durable fastening. The locking device is simple and effective in its operation and easily applied and detached.

Should any part of this trace-fastener-for example, the spring, head, or shankbe broken, duplicate parts can be obtained and applied cheaply and readily; but,owing to the fact that these parts are protected by the ferrule and not subject to strain, the device will ordinarily outlast the vehicle to which it is applied.

I claim v 1. In a trace-fastener, the combination of the ferrule B, to receive the end of the singletree, and provided with the extension B, having the chamber D, to receive a coiled spring, and a locking-nut at the end thereof, and slot d, the extension I), forming the neck and recessed at its outer end to form square locking-shoulders d d, with the head E, hav- 5 ing the stem F and locking-nut to form the stop, and the spring G, substantially as described.

spring being seated against the end walls of 50 2. In a trace-fastener, the combination of shoulders (7 d, the head E, having the shoulders 0 e, stem F, and spring G, substantially the ferrule B, having chamber D, to receive a coiled spring, and a nut at the end thereof, as described.

and longitudinal slot cl, the trace-holding ex \Vitnesses:

CHARLES J. BESSESEN'. 5 tension of the ferrule B, having the neck I),

II. S. TOWLE,

said extension being recessed to receive the locking-head and having square locking- FREDERICK C. (menu/1N. 

